The closure is about 13 miles from the Tennessee state line on the south side of Lake Fontana, near Cable Cove Road.

“We have been moving as quickly as possible since last week and over the weekend to develop and execute a sound and safe plan of action,” Acting Division 14 Engineer Brian Burch said in a release. “We know that N.C. 28 is vital to Graham County and the surrounding area."

Officials say the slide area is extremely dangerous and say rocks and boulders could fall at any time and without any apparent reason.

NCDOT engineers estimate the slide to be 390 feet tall from the road to the top on the west side and 310 feet from the road to the top on the east side.

Initial estimates indicate that about 40,000 cubic yards of debris will have to be excavated. That's the equivalent of 2,666 dual-axle dump truck loads.

NCDOT says transportation officials have begun the process of hiring a company to stabilize the slide area, remove debris and repair the road.

Travelers on N.C. 28 will need to detour around the slide by taking U.S. 129 then N.C. 143 when heading in either direction.